What you need to know about the devastating Kerala Temple Tragedy

ImageCourtesy: NewsMinute

In a devastating incident in Kerala, over 100 lost their lives and 300 injured as a massive fire engulfed the Puttingal Devi Temple complex in flames due to an illegal fireworks show in the premises. Here’s what happened.

Thousands of devotees had gathered in the premises of the Puttingal Devi Temple, in Paravur, a coastal town close to Thiruvanathpuram, where a fireworks show was on display. It emerged later that no permission was granted by the authorities for the display of fireworks.

A massive fire broke out in the temple premises leading to sheer panic among the people there. The blaze that erupted around 3:30am in the morning further escalated. A police official was quoted by the PTI as saying, “The mishap occurred as sparks of the fireworks fell on the store room ‘Kambapura’ and the fire crackers kept there exploded with a deafening noise.”

Police sources told PTI that a case has been registered against the temple authorities and explosive licences under section 307 (Attempt to murder), and 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) of IPC and under section 4 of Explosives Substances Act. The temple officials are said to be missing.

Soon after this incident was brought into limelight, rescue operations were launched and efforts were being made to rescue people from the inferno. In a massive rescue effort the Indian Navy and Air Force pressed into service six helicopters and one Dornier aircraft.

The state government announced an ex-gratia to the families of the deceased and injured.

Chief Minister, Oman Chandy confirmed that the district collector of Kollam had not given permission to conduct the fireworks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.” He even visited the site of the incident later on Sunday afternoon.

A judicial probe into the matter has been launched by the cabinet.

At the time of filing this report some bodies were identified and those injured were being treated in different hospitals.

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